The
news that the World Bank's Forestry Carbon Fund has been boosted by
an impressive $180 million in funding, has been welcomed by FRA.

Seattle,
United States, January 16, 2013 -- The news that the World Bank's
Forestry Carbon Fund has been boosted by an impressive $180 million
in funding, has been welcomed by Forestry
Research Associates (FRA).

The
research and analysis consultancy, specialising in sustainable
forestry investments, claims that the extra funding will help improve
chances of improving sustainability in countries like Indonesia and
Brazil. "Some of these regions are still heavily reliant on the
income they get from illegal forestry and being able to offer cash
incentives for keeping their forests alive is a major boost to
efforts to reduce deforestation." Stated Peter Collins, FRA's
analysis partner.

The
funding will go towards the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
(FCPF), which pays compensation to communities in developing
countries that protect their forests. The extra cash came from
Norway, Germany and Finland in an effort to further boost the REDD+
aforestation program.

World
Bank vice president for sustainable development, Rachel Kyte, said
that the funding is necessary to ensure the move against
deforestation continues, "Forests continue to be lost as efforts
to get the world on a greener, low-carbon growth path struggle to
increase in speed and scale to meet the climate challenges ahead."

Other
support came from Norway's special envoy for international climate
change policy, Hans Brattskar, who explained, "REDD+ needs to
move from planning to large scale action already in this decade if we
are to maintain the two degree goal."

Mr
Collins added, "We agree that the extra funding is needed to
drive the REDD+ program forward in order to keep up with the growing
threat of climate change and the impact this is having on some of the
most vulnerable communities in the world."

"The
Carbon Fund will bring countries and companies together to create
early demand for forest carbon with strong safeguards," added
Brattskar.

About
Forestry Research Associates

Forestry
Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that
focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry
investment around the globe.